JP6199070B2 - Memory control device and portable terminal - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a memory control device that writes image data transferred from a host processor to a frame memory, reads the data written in the frame memory, and transfers the data to a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The present invention relates to a portable terminal provided with the memory control device.

  Generally, when image data is transferred from a host processor (hereinafter simply referred to as “host”) to a display panel such as an LCD, the image data is transferred to a frame memory (hereinafter simply referred to as “memory”) in an LCDC (LCD Controller). After being temporarily saved, it is output to the display panel. This eliminates the need to transfer image data from the host to the display panel when the display data is not updated.

  However, in seamless processing such as moving image playback, image data input (writing) from the host to the memory in the LCDC and image data output (reading) from the LCDC to the display panel are performed substantially simultaneously in parallel. Done.

  For this reason, when the difference in the transfer speed of the image data cannot be compensated for, an incomplete image data stored in the memory is output to the display panel, and a so-called image data overtaking phenomenon occurs. When tearing occurs, incomplete image data is output to the display panel, causing flickering during image display.

  As a conventional technique for suppressing such tearing, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for updating a frame buffer (memory). This method is a method for conveying timing information over a communication link between a first processor and a second processor.

  In the method, the communication link is in a dormant mode and is scheduled for time events in the first processor to convey timing information to the second processor. Further, in this method, when a time event occurs, link wakeup by the first processor is started, link wakeup is detected in the second processor, and the detected link wakeup timing is used for the timing information conveyed. The first processor and the second processor are synchronized.

JP 2011-41290 A (published on February 24, 2011)

  However, the above prior art has the following problems.

Conventionally, as described above, writing and reading are performed in parallel almost simultaneously in a memory of only a single frame. For this reason, in the display memory, the read timing for display output cannot be stopped. For this reason, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1,
(1) Wait until the timing at which tearing is predicted not to occur and start writing, or
(2) If writing is to be started at a timing at which tearing is expected to occur, the writing is interrupted,
Either was necessary.

  In the case of (1), every time the host updates display image data, the host waits until a safe timing, and in the worst case, a waiting time of one frame at maximum occurs. As a disadvantage, the host-side memory cannot be released until the data transfer for updating the image data is completed. Therefore, even if the host side has a double buffer structure, it waits until the next image data starts to be created. There was a problem that time was required and this would cause frame dropping.

  Further, even when there is no update of the next image data, the host side operation cannot be stopped until the transfer is completed, and thus there is a problem that power is consumed wastefully for a certain period of time.

  On the other hand, in the case of (2), there is a problem that frame dropping occurs because writing is interrupted.

  Patent Document 1 does not consider tearing prevention measures when image data is compressed and written in a frame memory, and read image data is decompressed and transferred to a display control unit.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a memory control device or the like that can prevent tearing even when image data is compressed and written to a frame memory for each frame.

  A memory control device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a frame memory having a predetermined recording capacity, and compressing image data for one frame transferred from a host below the recording capacity, and compressing the compressed image data to the frame memory A compression unit for writing to the frame, a decompression unit for reading the compressed image data from the frame memory, decompressing the compressed image data and transferring the compressed image data to the display control unit, and reading the compressed image data of the first frame From the start, the second second after the first frame is passed until a predetermined prohibition period Ts elapses so that the range in which the reading position in the frame memory can change and the range in which the writing position can change do not overlap each other. And a timing control unit for prohibiting the start of writing of the compressed image data of the frame.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a memory control device compresses a frame memory having a predetermined recording capacity and image data for one frame transferred from a host with Vsize as an upper limit value, and compresses the compressed image data into the frame. A compression unit for writing to the memory; and a decompression unit for reading the compressed image data from the frame memory, decompressing the compressed image data, and transferring the decompressed image data to the display control unit. Is characterized in that the range in which the reading position in the frame memory can change and the range in which the writing position can change do not overlap each other.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, tearing can be prevented even when image data is compressed and recorded in a frame memory.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image transfer system according to an aspect of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram illustrating a state of writing to and reading from a frame memory when a writing period Tin is longer than a reading period Tout. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram illustrating a state of writing to and reading from a frame memory when a writing period Tin is longer than a reading period Tout. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram illustrating a state of writing to and reading from a frame memory when a writing period Tin is shorter than a reading period Tout. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram illustrating a state of writing to and reading from a frame memory when a writing period Tin is shorter than a reading period Tout. In another aspect of the present invention, it is a diagram showing a state of writing and reading to the frame memory when the writing period Tin is longer than the reading period Tout. In another aspect of the present invention, it is a diagram showing a state of writing and reading to the frame memory when the writing period Tin is shorter than the reading period Tout. It is the figure which put together the relationship between the danger period Td and the additional capacity | capacitance Va in the above-mentioned aspect, and Tin and Tout. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the timing control by the side of an LCD controller regarding operation | movement of the said image transfer system. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating the timing of a TE signal for notifying a host of a prohibition period. FIG. 5A illustrates the timing of the TE signal when the writing period Tin is shorter than the reading period Tout. FIG. The timing of the TE signal in the case where it is longer than the readout period Tout is shown. (A) is a flowchart showing an example of handshake control on the host processor side (in the case of a control register), and (b) is a flowchart showing an example of handshake control on the LCD controller side (in the case of a control register). (A) is a flowchart showing an example of handshake control on the host processor side (in the case of BTA), and (b) is a flowchart showing an example of handshake control on the LCD controller side (in the case of BTA). (A) is a flowchart showing an example of handshake control on the host processor side (in the case of REQ signal / ACK signal), and (b) is an example of handshake control on the LCD controller side (in the case of REQ signal / ACK signal). It is a flowchart which shows.

  The embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Descriptions of configurations other than those described in the following specific items may be omitted as necessary. However, in the case where they are described in other items, the configurations are the same. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those shown in each item are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof is omitted as appropriate.

Embodiment 1
[Image transfer system 1]
An image transfer system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image transfer system 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image transfer system 1 includes a host processor 2 (host), an LCD controller 3, and an LCD 4 (display control unit). The image transfer system 1 according to the present embodiment has a write operation for writing image data (data) transferred from the host processor 2 to a frame memory 31 described later, and reads the image data written in the frame memory 31 to the LCD 4. It is a device that performs a read operation to transfer. Note that the LCD controller 3 corresponds to an embodiment of the memory control device.

(Host processor 2)
The host processor 2 is a host processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) of the apparatus main body (for example, the portable terminal 10 shown in FIG. 2), and controls the apparatus main body (transfer) and transfers it to the LCD 4. Image data, various signals such as REQ (Request) signal, various control commands such as handshake flag and BTA (Bus Turnaround), VSS (Vertical Sync Start) packet and BS (Blanking Start) Various packets such as packets are supplied (transferred) to the LCD controller 3. The host processor 2 transfers uncompressed image data representing an image of one frame to the LCD controller 3.

(LCD controller 3)
The LCD controller 3 performs various operations such as an image data input / output mechanism, an operation for writing image data transferred from the host processor 2 to the frame memory 31, and a read operation for reading image data from the frame memory 31 and transferring it to the LCD 4. The processing is performed. The LCD controller 3 compresses the image data for one frame received from the host processor 2 by a predetermined compression method, and writes the compressed image data in the frame memory 31. The LCD controller 3 reads one frame of compressed image data from the frame memory 31, expands (decompresses) the read image data, and transfers the expanded image data to the LCD 4.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the LCD controller 3 (memory control device) includes a frame memory 31, a delay control unit (timing control unit) 32, a compression unit 33, an expansion unit 34, and a control register 35.

(Frame memory 31)
The frame memory 31 is an image memory that can store image data for one frame compressed by a predetermined compression method. Therefore, the capacity (recording capacity) of the frame memory 31 is smaller than the size of uncompressed image data for one frame transferred from the host processor 2. The capacity of the frame memory 31 is Vsize (upper limit value).

(Delay control unit 32)
The delay control unit 32 prohibits writing image data of the next frame into the frame memory 31 until a predetermined prohibition period Ts elapses after reading of the image data of a certain frame from the frame memory 31 is started. Thus, the write start timing by the compression unit 33 is controlled. The delay control unit 32 permits the start of writing image data of the next frame after the prohibition period Ts has elapsed since the start of reading of image data of a certain frame. The prohibition period Ts can be longer than a danger period Td described later and less than the readout period Tout. The danger period Td can be obtained assuming a worst case. Here, the read period Tout is a (constant) period from the start to the end of the read operation. On the other hand, the write period Tin is a (constant) period from the start to the end of the write operation.

  When Tin> Tout, the delay control unit 32 stores the image data of the frame from the frame memory until a predetermined output delay period Outdly elapses after the writing of the image data of a certain frame to the frame memory 31 starts. The read start timing by the decompression unit 34 is controlled so as to prohibit reading from 31.

(Compressor 33)
The compression unit 33 compresses the image data for one frame received from the host processor 2 by a predetermined compression method. The compression unit 33 writes the compressed image data for one frame in the frame memory 31. Here, the compression method used by the compression unit 33 compresses image data to a variable length in units of frames. Therefore, the size of the compressed image data can be different for each frame. Further, the writing speed to the frame memory 31 and the reading speed from the frame memory 31 are not constant. However, an upper limit value and a lower limit value are provided for the writing speed and the reading speed, respectively. The compression method used by the compression unit 33 is a compression method that guarantees a compression rate (for example, a compression rate of 1/2). Therefore, the compressed image data for one frame has a size equal to or smaller than the upper limit value Vsize. When the compression ratio is 1/2, the size of the uncompressed image data (one frame) transferred from the host processor 2 is Vsize × 2.

(Extension part 34)
The decompressing unit 34 reads the compressed image data for one frame from the frame memory 31, and decompresses the read image data by a method corresponding to the compression method. The decompressing unit 34 transfers the decompressed image data for one frame to the LCD 4.

(Control register 35)
The control register 35 stores various control commands from the host processor 2 and transmits the stored control commands to the host processor 2. Examples of the control command include various data used for setting parameters in each unit (circuit), for example, image size, line size, frequency, transfer waiting time, and the like.

(LCD4)
The LCD 4 displays image data transferred from the host processor 2 via the LCD controller 3.

  The LCD 4 of the present embodiment is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel (oxide semiconductor liquid crystal panel) in which an oxide semiconductor is used for a semiconductor layer of a TFT (thin film transistor). As the oxide semiconductor, an oxide (In—Ga—Zn—O) including indium, gallium, and zinc can be given.

[Characteristic Operation of Image Transfer System 1]
In the LCD controller 3 of the image transfer system 1, the image data received from the host processor 2 is compressed and written in the frame memory 31. Therefore, the capacity of the frame memory 31 can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, there are the following restrictions. In the compression method used by the compression unit 33, the size of the compressed image data is equal to or less than the upper limit value Vsize. Further, the period during which image data for one frame is transferred from the host processor 2 is constant, and the period during which image data for one frame is transferred from the LCD controller 3 to the LCD 4 is also constant. That is, the period for writing image data for one frame to the frame memory 31 (writing period Tin) is constant, and the period for reading image data for one frame from the frame memory 31 (reading period Tout) is constant. However, even if the image size is the same, the writing speed and reading speed to the frame memory 31 change depending on the contents of the image. The higher the compression ratio, the faster the writing speed and the reading speed. Further, when the compression ratio changes during writing or reading, the writing speed and the reading speed change accordingly. When the size of the compressed image data is Vsize, the average writing speed wp in the writing period Tin is Vsize / Tin. The writing speed to the frame memory 31 can vary between the maximum writing speed αwp and the minimum writing speed βwp. Α and β are coefficients determined in advance by the compression method. When the size of the compressed image data is Vsize, the average reading speed rp in the reading period Tout is Vsize / Tout. The reading speed from the frame memory 31 can vary between the maximum reading speed αrp and the minimum reading speed βrp. For writing and reading, the maximum speed coefficient α and the minimum speed coefficient β are common. Note that when the writing speed of image data of a certain frame is slow, the reading speed of the image data is similarly slow, and when the writing speed of image data is fast, the speed of reading the image data is also fast. However, since the content of the image is different for different frames, it is considered that there is no correlation between the writing speed and the reading speed between different frames.

  The LCD controller 3 controls the writing start timing so that tearing does not occur even when the writing speed and the reading speed change within the above-described restrictions. Since the writing period Tin and the reading period Tout are determined by the specifications of the image transfer system 1, the operation of the LCD controller 3 will be described below depending on the magnitude relationship between Tin and Tout.

(When writing period Tin> reading period Tout)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of writing to and reading from the frame memory 31 when the writing period Tin is longer than the reading period Tout. That is, it corresponds to the case where the transfer of the image data from the host processor 2 is slower than the transfer of the image data to the LCD 4. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the position (address) on the frame memory 31. The capacity of the frame memory 31 is the same as the maximum size Vsize of the compressed image data.

  In FIG. 3, first, the image data of the first frame is written from the lower left origin. Here, the size of the compressed image data is Vsize. The compression unit 33 writes the (compressed) image data in the frame memory 31 over a writing period Tin. The average writing speed wp in the writing period Tin is Vsize / Tin and corresponds to the slope of the straight line shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. The maximum writing speed αwp corresponds to the slope of the straight line indicated by the broken line in FIG. The minimum writing speed βwp corresponds to the slope of the straight line shown by the solid line in FIG. These straight lines indicate at which position on the frame memory 31 the write pointer (write pointer) indicating the position where writing is performed is located at a certain time.

  That is, when writing is performed at the minimum writing speed βwp, the write pointer moves along the path Lw1. However, in order to satisfy the restriction that image data for one frame is written in a certain writing period Tin, the writing speed increases at a certain point in the path Lw1. The path Lw1 indicates the transition of the write pointer when writing is performed at the minimum writing speed βwp until a certain time point and writing is performed at the maximum writing speed αwp from that time point. The path Lw1 indicates a case where the transition of the write pointer on the frame memory 31 is delayed most after the writing is started, that is, the writing is delayed most.

  On the other hand, when writing is performed at the maximum writing speed αwp from the start of writing, similarly, writing is performed at a minimum writing speed βwp from a certain point in time in order to satisfy the restriction that writing is performed over a fixed writing period Tin. Is called.

  In FIG. 3, a parallelogram area surrounded by a broken line writing path and a solid line writing path (Lw1) is a position (range) where the write pointer can actually move. That is, the speed of the light pointer is not constant, and the light pointer can change the path in the parallelogram area depending on the content of the image.

  The decompression unit 34 can start reading the image data of the first frame after the output delay period Outdly has elapsed from the start of writing the image data of the first frame. Since the image data of the first frame is written from the position where writing was started on the frame memory 31, reading is started from the same position when reading. Image data for one frame is read out over a certain readout period Tout. For this reason, the read pointer (read pointer) indicating the position where the reading is performed similarly changes in the parallelogram region (the hatched portion in FIG. 3) composed of straight lines of the maximum reading speed αrp and the minimum reading speed βrp. Yes.

  Here, when the image data writing speed is low, the image data reading speed is also low, and when the image data writing speed is high, the image data reading speed is also high. That is, for one frame of image data, the write pointer wp1 and the read pointer rp1 follow the same path. That is, for a certain image data, when the write pointer changes along a path where writing starts at the maximum writing speed αwp, the read pointer changes along a path where reading starts at the maximum reading speed αrp. On the other hand, for a certain image data, when the write pointer changes along a path where writing starts at the minimum writing speed βwp, the read pointer changes along a path where reading starts at the minimum reading speed βrp.

  As shown in FIG. 3, writing and reading may proceed in parallel at the same time, but when the output delay period Outdly is the same as | writing period Tin−reading period Tout |, the write pointer wp1 at the end of writing And the read pointer rp1 at the end of reading overlap. Therefore, if the output delay period Outdly is larger than | Tin−Tout |, reading does not overtake writing. That is, reading after writing can be performed so that tearing does not occur.

  When the output delay period Outdly is set in this way, even when the image data of the first frame is written along the path Lw1, the reading of the image data of the first frame is performed along the path Lr1. . Therefore, tearing does not occur even when the writing speed is low. Note that the start of reading image data may be delayed even after the output delay period Outdly has elapsed. In this case, the end point of reading is after the start of reading is delayed from the end point of writing.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state of writing to and reading from the frame memory 31 when the writing period Tin is longer than the reading period Tout. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a case where image data of the next second frame is written after reading of the image data of the first frame is started. Here, it is assumed that the writing of the image data of the first frame is completed before the start of reading of the image data of the first frame.

  The case where the reading of the image data of the first frame is delayed the most is when the read pointer rp1 changes along the path Lr1 where reading starts at the minimum reading speed βrp. The writing of the second frame of image data is the fastest when the write pointer wp2 moves along the path Lw2 where writing starts at the maximum writing speed αwp. As shown in FIG. 4, when the writing of the second frame of image data is started when a predetermined danger period Td has elapsed since the start of reading of the first frame of image data, the path of the read pointer of the first frame Lr1 is in contact with the write pointer path Lw2 of the second frame. That is, the read pointer and the write pointer overlap at some point. Therefore, if the writing of the second frame of image data is started after a predetermined danger period Td has elapsed since the start of reading of the first frame of image data, the second frame write pointer wp2 is read by the first frame. The pointer rp1 is not overtaken. That is, tearing does not occur.

  When the writing period Tin> the reading period Tout, the critical period Td of the following expression (Expression 1) can be obtained geometrically from FIG.

  For example, in the case of a compression method in which α = 41/24 and β = 3/24, Td = 0.447 × Tout−0.033 × Tin.

  Therefore, the prohibition period Ts in which writing is prohibited can be set to the danger period Td or more and less than the reading period Tout. Tearing can be prevented by setting the prohibition period Ts to the danger period Td or more, and writing can be started earlier by setting the prohibition period Ts to less than the read period Tout. When the prohibition period Ts = the dangerous period Td, the data transfer from the host processor 2 can be permitted earliest after preventing tearing. Thus, in the present embodiment, the transition of the read pointer rp1 of the second frame on the frame memory 31 is at the position of the read pointer rp1 when the transition of the read pointer rp1 on the frame memory 31 in the first frame is most delayed. The prohibition period Ts is set in advance based on the range in which the read pointer rp1 can change and the range in which the write pointer wp2 can change so that the position of the write pointer wp2 at the earliest time cannot catch up. That is, the prohibition period Ts is set in advance so that the write pointer wp2 and the read pointer rp1 do not overlap.

  If the size of the compressed image data is the upper limit Vsize, the write pointer of the second frame can be closest to the read pointer of the first frame. Even when the size of the compressed image data is less than Vsize, tearing may occur if the start of writing is prohibited from the start of reading the image data of the first frame until the danger period Td elapses. There is no.

  In addition, you may give a margin to the prohibition period Ts. For example, the prohibition period Ts may be set to the danger period Td or more and Td × 11/10 or less, and the prohibition period Ts may have a margin of about 10% of the danger period Td.

(When writing period Tin <reading period Tout)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing how the frame memory 31 is written and read when the writing period Tin is shorter than the reading period Tout. That is, it corresponds to the case where the transfer of the image data from the host processor 2 is faster than the transfer of the image data to the LCD 4. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the position (address) on the frame memory 31. The capacity of the frame memory 31 is Vsize.

  In FIG. 5, first, the image data of the first frame is written from the lower left origin. Here, the size of the compressed image data is Vsize. The compression unit 33 writes the (compressed) image data in the frame memory 31 over a writing period Tin. The meaning of the symbols is the same as in FIGS. However, the relationship between the magnitudes of Tin and Tout is reversed from that in FIGS.

  The decompression unit 34 can start reading the image data of the first frame immediately after the start of writing of the image data of the first frame. Since the image data of the first frame is written from the position where writing was started on the frame memory 31, reading is started from the same position when reading.

  Here, when the image data writing speed is low, the image data reading speed is also low, and when the image data writing speed is high, the image data reading speed is also high. That is, for one frame of image data, the write pointer wp1 and the read pointer rp1 follow the same path. That is, for a certain image data, when the write pointer changes along a path where writing starts at the maximum writing speed αwp, the read pointer changes along a path where reading starts at the maximum reading speed αrp. On the other hand, for a certain image data, when the write pointer changes along a path where writing starts at the minimum writing speed βwp, the read pointer changes along a path where reading starts at the minimum reading speed βrp.

  Therefore, even if the reading is started immediately after the start of writing as shown in FIG. 5, even if the writing is delayed most (path Lw1), the reading is similarly delayed (path Lr1), so that the reading does not overtake the writing. In the case of Tin <Tout, it is not necessary to provide the output delay period Outdly.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the frame memory 31 is written and read when the write period Tin is shorter than the read period Tout. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a case where image data of the next second frame is written after reading of the image data of the first frame is started. Here, it is assumed that the writing of the image data of the first frame is completed before the start of reading of the image data of the first frame.

  The case where the reading of the image data of the first frame is delayed the most is when the read pointer rp1 changes along the path Lr1 where reading starts at the minimum reading speed βrp. The writing of the second frame of image data is the fastest when the write pointer wp2 moves along the path Lw2 where writing starts at the maximum writing speed αwp. As shown in FIG. 6, when the writing of the second frame of image data is started when a predetermined danger period Td has elapsed since the start of reading of the first frame of image data, the path of the read pointer of the first frame Lr1 is in contact with the write pointer path Lw2 of the second frame. That is, the read pointer and the write pointer overlap at some point. Therefore, if the writing of the second frame of image data is started after a predetermined danger period Td has elapsed since the start of reading of the first frame of image data, the second frame write pointer wp2 is read by the first frame. The pointer rp1 is not overtaken. That is, tearing does not occur.

  When the writing period Tin <the reading period Tout, the critical period Td of the following equation (Equation 2) can be obtained geometrically from FIG.

  For example, in the case of a compression method in which α = 41/24 and β = 3/24, Td = 0.967 × Tout−0.553 × Tin.

  Note that the prohibition period Ts in which writing is prohibited can be set to be equal to or more than the above Td and less than the reading period Tout. When the prohibition period Ts = the dangerous period Td, the data transfer from the host processor 2 can be permitted earliest after preventing tearing.

  If the size of the compressed image data is the upper limit Vsize, the write pointer of the second frame can be closest to the read pointer of the first frame. Even when the size of the compressed image data is less than Vsize, tearing may occur if the start of writing is prohibited from the start of reading the image data of the first frame until the danger period Td elapses. There is no.

  The danger period Td of the above formula 1 and the above formula 2 is the writing start position on the frame memory 31 when writing image data for one frame in the frame memory 31, and the writing end position of the image data of the immediately preceding frame. It is a thing when it is set as the continuation position.

  On the other hand, when the write start position is always set to the same position (for example, the first position) on the frame memory 31, the danger period Td is longer than the above formulas 1 and 2. In this case, regardless of whether Tin> Tout or Tin <Tout, the danger period Td = Tout− (β / α) Tin. Under the above conditions, the worst case is when the size of the compressed image data in the first frame is βrp × Tout and the writing of the second frame is started at the maximum writing speed αwp.

(Timing control flow)
An example of the flow of timing control on the LCD controller 3 side will be described based on FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of timing control on the LCD controller 3 side regarding the operation of the image transfer system 1.

  The delay control unit 32 determines whether or not the writing start time when the image data is received is within the prohibition period Ts (step S71).

  When the writing start time is within the prohibition period Ts (Yes in S71), the LCD controller 3 transmits a low level TE (Tearing Effect) signal indicating the prohibition period Ts to the host processor 2 (S72).

  Receiving the Low level TE signal, the host processor 2 waits for image data transfer (S73). That is, the LCD controller 3 also stands by for writing image data. Thereafter, the flow from S71 is repeated.

  When the write start time is outside the prohibition period Ts (No in S71), the LCD controller 3 transmits a High level TE signal indicating that it is not the prohibition period Ts to the host processor 2 (S74).

  Receiving the high level TE signal, the host processor 2 starts transferring the image data during the period in which the TE signal is at the high level (S75). The LCD controller 3 that has received the image data compresses the image data and starts writing the compressed image data into the frame memory 31.

(Notification of prohibited period by TE signal)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the timing of the TE signal that notifies the host of the prohibition period Ts. The TE signal is a signal composed of binary values of Low level and High level, and is transmitted to the host processor 2 by the LCD controller 3. A Low level TE signal indicates the prohibition period Ts, and a High level TE signal indicates that it is not the prohibition period. The vertical synchronization signal Vsync is a signal transmitted from the LCD 4 to the LCD controller 3. At the timing when the vertical synchronization signal Vsync becomes Low level (Low pulse). Reading of image data is started.

  The host processor 2 does not start transferring image data while the TE signal is at a low level, and starts transferring image data to the LCD controller 3 while the TE signal is at a high level.

(When Tin <Tout)
FIG. 11A shows a TE signal when Tin <Tout. Here, the writing of the image data of the first frame and the third frame is omitted. From the start of reading the first frame of image data, the TE signal becomes low level. When the prohibition period Ts elapses after the TE signal becomes Low level, the TE signal becomes High level.

  While the TE signal is at the high level, the host processor 2 transfers the image data of the second frame. At the same time, the compression unit 33 of the LCD controller 3 compresses the received image data and starts writing to the frame memory 31. Thereafter, reading of the image data of the second frame is started based on the vertical synchronization signal Vsync, and at the same time, the TE signal becomes a low level.

(When Tin> Tout)
FIG. 11B shows a TE signal when Tin> Tout. Here, the writing of the image data of the first frame and the third frame is omitted. (A) shows an example of a signal when an oxide semiconductor liquid crystal panel is used as the LCD 4, and (B) shows an example when a CGS (Continuous Grain Silicon) liquid crystal panel is used as the LCD 4.

  In the case of the oxide semiconductor liquid crystal panel (A), the TE signal becomes low level from the start of reading of the image data of the first frame. When the prohibition period Ts elapses after the TE signal becomes Low level, the TE signal becomes High level.

  On the other hand, in the case of the CGS liquid crystal panel (b), the TE signal becomes a low level from the end of reading of the image data of the first frame. When the prohibition period Ts elapses from the start of reading the image data of the second frame, the TE signal becomes High level.

  The period during which the host processor 2 can start transferring image data is a period during which the TE signal is at a high level. In the oxide semiconductor liquid crystal panel, the refresh rate can be lowered (changed) from about 60 Hz to about 1 Hz, for example, so that the start of reading of image data can be delayed (waited). Therefore, in the oxide semiconductor liquid crystal panel (A), a period during which image data transfer can be started can be set longer than that in the CGS liquid crystal panel (B). As a result, the degree of freedom of the timing at which the host processor 2 starts to transfer the image data increases, so that the processing delay of the host processor 2 can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the host processor 2 cannot process image data, and to avoid frame dropping of images during display.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, the block configuration of the image transfer system is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the capacity of the frame memory 31 and the operation of the delay control unit 32 are different from those of the above-described embodiment.

(Frame memory 31)
The capacity Vm of the frame memory 31 is larger than Vsize + Va. The lower limit value of the additional capacity Va can be determined by a method described later. Note that the capacity Vm of the frame memory 31 is smaller than twice Vsize.

(Delay control unit 32)
When Tin> Tout, the delay control unit 32 reads the image data of the frame from the frame memory 31 until a predetermined output delay period Outdly elapses after writing of the image data of a certain frame to the frame memory 31 starts. The read start timing by the decompression unit 34 is controlled so as to prohibit reading.

[Characteristic operation of image transfer system]
In the present embodiment, there are the same restrictions as in the first embodiment. In the compression method used by the compression unit 33, the size of the compressed image data is equal to or less than the upper limit value Vsize. The writing period Tin and the reading period Tout are constant. The higher the compression ratio, the faster the writing speed and the reading speed. Further, when the compression ratio changes during writing or reading, the writing speed and the reading speed change accordingly. The writing speed to the frame memory 31 can vary between the maximum writing speed αwp and the minimum writing speed βwp. The reading speed from the frame memory 31 can vary between the maximum reading speed αrp and the minimum reading speed βrp. For writing and reading, the maximum speed coefficient α and the minimum speed coefficient β are common. Note that when the writing speed of image data of a certain frame is slow, the reading speed of the image data is similarly slow, and when the writing speed of image data is fast, the speed of reading the image data is also fast. The writing start position on the frame memory 31 (address on the frame memory 31) when writing image data for one frame to the frame memory 31 is a continuation (neighboring) of the writing end position of the image data of the immediately preceding frame. The position of The image data is written on the frame memory 31 in the order of addresses from the write start position, and is read in the order of addresses from the read start position. The reading start position of image data for one frame is the immediately preceding writing start position (for the frame). After the last position of the frame memory 31, writing / reading is performed at the first position. The frame memory 31 is used on a periodic boundary in a FIFO (First-in First-out) manner. Here, being used on a periodic boundary means that “when writing up to the last position (address) of the frame memory 31 is continued, writing is continued from the first position (address) of the frame memory 31”.

  The LCD controller 3 permits the start of writing of the next frame immediately after the start of reading of a certain frame. In this case, the frame memory 31 has at least a capacity of the additional capacity Va in addition to the upper limit size Vsize of the compressed image data for one frame so that tearing does not occur. However, the capacity Vm of the frame memory 31 is smaller than twice the upper limit size Vsize of the compressed image data for one frame.

  Since the writing period Tin and the reading period Tout are determined by the specifications of the image transfer system 1, the additional capacity necessary for the frame memory 31 will be described below depending on the magnitude relationship between Tin and Tout. The required additional capacity varies depending on the magnitude relationship between Tin and Tout.

(When writing period Tin> reading period Tout)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the frame memory 31 is written and read when the writing period Tin is longer than the reading period Tout. That is, it corresponds to the case where the transfer of the image data from the host processor 2 is slower than the transfer of the image data to the LCD 4. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates a position (address) on the frame memory 31. In FIG. 7, it is assumed that the capacity Vm of the frame memory 31 is larger by the additional capacity Va than the maximum size Vsize of the compressed image data.

  As in the case of FIG. 3 of the first embodiment, if the output delay period Outdly is provided, reading does not overtake writing. That is, reading after writing can be performed so that tearing does not occur.

  Here, a case will be described in which the image data of the next second frame is written after the start of reading the image data of the first frame. It is assumed that the writing of the image data of the first frame (path Lw1) is completed before the start of reading of the image data of the first frame. It is assumed that the sizes of the first frame (compressed) image data and the second frame (compressed) image data are Vsize.

  The case where the reading of the image data of the first frame is delayed the most is when the read pointer rp1 changes along the path Lr1 where reading starts at the minimum reading speed βrp. The writing of the second frame of image data is the fastest when the write pointer wp2 moves along the path Lw2 where writing starts at the maximum writing speed αwp. FIG. 7 shows a case where writing of the image data of the second frame is started immediately after the start of reading of the image data of the first frame. The writing of the image data of the second frame is started from the end position of the writing of the image data of the immediately preceding first frame. That is, the image data of the second frame is written from the continuation of Vsize on the memory. Since the image data of the second frame is larger than the additional capacity Va, when writing up to the last position (address) of the frame memory 31, the continuation is written from the first position (address) of the frame memory 31. In FIG. 7, a portion exceeding the capacity Vm is virtually drawn to help understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the capacity Vm = Vsize + Va, the read pointer path Lr1 of the first frame and the write pointer path Lw2 of the second frame are in contact at a certain time. That is, the read pointer and the write pointer overlap at some point. Therefore, if the capacity Vm> Vsize + Va, the write pointer wp2 of the second frame does not overtake the read pointer rp1 of the first frame. That is, tearing does not occur.

  When the writing period Tin> the reading period Tout, the additional capacity Va in the following equation (Equation 3) can be obtained geometrically from FIG.

  For example, in the case of a compression method in which α = 41/24 and β = 3/24, Va = (0.764 (Tout / Tin) −0.056) Vsize.

  Therefore, the capacity Vm of the frame memory 31 can be greater than Vsize + Va and less than 2 × Vsize. In this way, it is possible to permit the start of writing of the second frame of image data immediately after the start of reading of the first frame of image data. That is, tearing can be prevented without providing a prohibition period. Therefore, data transfer from the host processor 2 can be permitted early. Thus, in the present embodiment, the transition of the read pointer rp1 of the second frame on the frame memory 31 is at the position of the read pointer rp1 when the transition of the read pointer rp1 on the frame memory 31 in the first frame is most delayed. The capacity of the frame memory 31 is set based on the range in which the read pointer rp1 can change and the range in which the write pointer wp2 can change so that the position of the write pointer wp2 in the earliest case cannot catch up. That is, the capacity of the frame memory 31 is set so that the write pointer wp2 and the read pointer rp1 do not overlap.

  If the size of the compressed image data is the upper limit Vsize, the write pointer of the second frame can be closest to the read pointer of the first frame. Even when the size of the compressed image data is less than Vsize, tearing does not occur if the writing of the image data of the second frame is started after the reading of the image data of the first frame is started.

  The capacity of the frame memory 31 may have a margin of about 10%. For example, the capacity of the frame memory 31 may be set larger than Vsize + Va and not more than (Vsize + Va) × 11/10.

(When writing period Tin <reading period Tout)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing how the frame memory 31 is written and read when the writing period Tin is shorter than the reading period Tout. That is, it corresponds to the case where the transfer of the image data from the host processor 2 is faster than the transfer of the image data to the LCD 4. In FIG. 8, it is assumed that the capacity Vm of the frame memory 31 is larger by the additional capacity Va than the maximum size Vsize of the compressed image data.

  As in the case of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment, even if the reading is started immediately after the writing is started, the reading does not overtake the writing. That is, reading after writing can be performed so that tearing does not occur.

  Here, a case will be described in which the image data of the next second frame is written after the start of reading the image data of the first frame. It is assumed that the writing of the image data of the first frame is completed before the start of reading of the image data of the first frame. It is assumed that the sizes of the first frame (compressed) image data and the second frame (compressed) image data are Vsize.

  The case where the reading of the image data of the first frame is delayed the most is when the read pointer rp1 changes along the path Lr1 where reading starts at the minimum reading speed βrp. The writing of the second frame of image data is the fastest when the write pointer wp2 moves along the path Lw2 where writing starts at the maximum writing speed αwp. FIG. 8 shows a case where writing of the image data of the second frame is started immediately after the start of reading of the image data of the first frame. The writing of the image data of the second frame is started from the end position of the writing of the image data of the immediately preceding first frame. That is, the image data of the second frame is written from the continuation of Vsize on the memory. Since the image data of the second frame is larger than the additional capacity Va, when writing up to the last position (address) of the frame memory 31, the continuation is written from the first position (address) of the frame memory 31. In FIG. 8, a portion exceeding the capacity Vm is virtually drawn to help understanding.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the capacity Vm = Vsize + Va, the read pointer path Lr1 of the first frame and the write pointer path Lw2 of the second frame are in contact at a certain time. That is, the read pointer and the write pointer overlap at some point. Therefore, if the capacity Vm> Vsize + Va, the write pointer wp2 of the second frame does not overtake the read pointer rp1 of the first frame. That is, tearing does not occur.

  In the case where the writing period Tin <the reading period Tout, the additional capacity Va in the following formula (Formula 4) can be obtained geometrically from FIG.

  For example, in the case of a compression method in which α = 41/24 and β = 3/24, Va = (0.764 (Tout / Tin) −0.056) Vsize.

  Therefore, the capacity Vm of the frame memory 31 can be greater than Vsize + Va and less than 2 × Vsize. In this way, it is possible to permit the start of writing of the second frame of image data immediately after the start of reading of the first frame of image data. That is, tearing can be prevented without providing a prohibition period. Therefore, data transfer from the host processor 2 can be permitted early.

  If the size of the compressed image data is the upper limit Vsize, the write pointer of the second frame can be closest to the read pointer of the first frame. Even when the size of the compressed image data is less than Vsize, tearing does not occur if the writing of the image data of the second frame is started after the reading of the image data of the first frame is started.

[Summary of danger period Td and additional capacity Va]
FIG. 9 is a diagram summarizing the relationship between the critical period Td and the additional capacity Va described in the above embodiment, and Tin and Tout. FIG. 9 shows an example in which image data is written to the frame memory without being compressed (uncompressed) as a comparison target. Since the image data is not compressed in the case of non-compression, it should be noted that Vsize (size of uncompressed image data) in the non-compression column is larger than Vsize (size of compressed image data) in the compression column. It is. That is, in the case of non-compression, even if the additional capacity Va is “0”, the capacity necessary for storing image data for one frame is larger than that in the case of compression.

[Modified example of write prohibition during prohibition period Ts]
Next, a modification example of write prohibition during the prohibition period Ts will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the above example, the TE signal is used to prohibit writing, but here, a modified example thereof will be described.

  In predetermined sequence control between the host processor 2 and the LCD controller 3 shown in FIG. 1, writing may be prohibited by delaying transmission / reception of permission information with respect to request information described later until the prohibition period Ts elapses. .

  “Predetermined sequence control” means that when the host processor 2 and the LCD controller 3 exchange permission information for permitting the start of a write operation with respect to request information for requesting the start of the write operation, the host processor 2 and the LCD controller 3 This is control for starting transfer of image data to the controller 3. More specifically, sequence control by polling (handshake flag) of the control register 35, sequence control by bus turnaround function (BTA; bus occupancy) in MIPI command mode, REQ (Request) signal / ACK (acknowledge) signal The sequence control, the sequence control by the HVBLK pulse signal that does not change (toggle) in the prohibition period Ts, the sequence control by the HVBLK level signal that informs the prohibition period Ts by level, the sequence control by the asynchronous bus wait function in the case of an asynchronous bus, The control for waiting for the start of the transfer operation of the image data from the processor 2 to the LCD controller 3 can be listed.

  “Polling” refers to multiple devices and programs in order to avoid conflicts in communication and software, to judge (monitor) the preparation status of transmission and reception, and to synchronize processing. This is a communication and processing method in which inquiries are periodically made in order and transmission / reception and processing are performed when a certain condition is satisfied.

  Further, examples of the “request information / permission information” include the handshake flag, the bus occupancy right (BTA), the REQ signal / ACK signal, the HVBLK pulse signal, and the HVBLK level signal described above. Details of these “request information / permission information” examples will be described below.

(Handshake flag)
When the host processor 2 tries to transfer image data, it changes the value of the handshake flag in the control register 35 from “0” to “1”, and transmits the request information to the LCD controller 3. On the other hand, the LCD controller 3 that has received the request information returns the handshake flag of the control register 35 from “1” to “0” when data transfer preparation from the host processor 2 is ready, and sends permission information to the host processor 2. introduce. After transmitting the request information, the host processor 2 monitors the handshake flag in the control register 35 by polling. When the host processor 2 recognizes that the permission information has been received, the host processor 2 starts transferring image data to the LCD controller 3. Usually, by adjusting the period from when the value of the handshake flag becomes “1” to when it returns to “0”, the start time of writing operation [the start time of DSI (Display Serial Interface) input] is delayed. (Write can be prohibited).

  12A is a flowchart showing an example of handshake control on the host processor 2 side (in the case of the control register 35), and FIG. 12B is an example of handshake control on the LCD controller 3 side (control register). 35).

  When it is desired to update the image data (drawing update) as shown in FIG. In S11, the host processor 2 changes the value of the handshake flag in the control register 35 from “0” to “1”, transmits the request information to the LCD controller 3, and proceeds to S12.

  In S12, the host processor 2 confirms whether or not the value of the handshake flag is “1”. As a result, when the value of the handshake flag is “1”, the process returns to S12. On the other hand, when the value of the handshake flag is not “1” (in the case of “0”), the process proceeds to S13 and the transfer of the image data to the LCD controller 3 is started.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, the process waits until the image data write request information (handshake flag = “1”) is reached in S21. When the request information comes, the process proceeds to S22.

  In S22, the delay control unit 32 prohibits writing before the prohibition period Ts elapses, and returns to S22 (YES). On the other hand, after the prohibition period Ts has elapsed, the delay control unit 32 permits writing and proceeds to S23 (NO).

  In S23, the control register 35 sets the value of the handshake flag to “0” and permits the host processor 2 to transfer.

(BTA)
When the host processor 2 tries to transfer image data, it passes the bus occupation right to the LCD controller 3 using the BTA function, and transmits the request information to the LCD controller 3. The LCD controller 3 that has received the request information transmits a TE (Tearing Effect) event to the host processor 2 when it is ready to transfer data from the host processor 2, returns the bus occupation right to the host processor 2, and permits information. To communicate. When the host processor 2 recognizes that the permission information has been received, it starts data transfer.

  13A is a flowchart showing an example of handshake control on the host processor 2 side (in the case of BTA), and FIG. 13B is an example of handshake control on the LCD controller 3 side (in the case of BTA). It is a flowchart which shows.

  If it is desired to update the image data (drawing update) as shown in FIG. In S31, the host processor 2 passes the bus occupation right to the LCD controller 3, and proceeds to S32.

  In S32, it is confirmed whether or not the host processor 2 has received a TE event from the LCD controller 3. As a result, when the host processor 2 receives a TE event from the LCD controller 3, the process proceeds to S33 (YES). On the other hand, if the host processor 2 has not received a TE event from the LCD controller 3, the process returns to S32.

  In S <b> 33, the host processor 2 starts transferring image data to the LCD controller 3.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, in S41, the LCD controller 3 waits until receiving the bus occupation right from the host processor 2, and proceeds to S42.

  In S42, the delay control unit 32 prohibits writing before the prohibition period Ts elapses, and returns to S42 (YES). On the other hand, after the prohibition period Ts has elapsed, the delay control unit 32 permits writing and proceeds to S43 (NO).

  In S 43, the LCD controller 3 transmits a TE event to the host processor 2 and returns the bus occupation right to the host processor 2.

(REQ signal / ACK signal)
Next, a flow of handshake control using the REQ signal / ACK signal will be described with reference to FIG.

  14A is a flowchart showing an example of handshake control on the host processor 2 side (in the case of a REQ signal / ACK signal), and FIG. 14B is an example of handshake control on the LCD controller 3 side ( 6 is a flowchart showing a case of a REQ signal / ACK signal.

  If it is desired to update the image data (drawing update) as shown in FIG. In S51, the host processor 2 sets the REQ signal to High (REQ = High) level and transmits it to the LCD controller 3, and the process proceeds to S52.

  In S52, the host processor 2 confirms whether or not the ACK signal from the LCD controller 3 is at a low level (ACK = Low). As a result, if ACK = Low, the process returns to S52 (YES). On the other hand, if ACK ≠ Low (that is, ACK = High), the process proceeds to S53 (NO).

  In S53, the host processor 2 returns REQ = Low and proceeds to S54.

  In S <b> 54, the host processor 2 starts image transfer to the LCD controller 3.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, in S61, the LCD controller 3 waits until REQ = High is received from the host processor 2, and proceeds to S62.

  In S62, when REQ = High is received from the host processor 2, the delay control unit 32 prohibits writing before the prohibition period Ts elapses, and returns to S62 (YES). On the other hand, after the prohibition period Ts has elapsed, the delay control unit 32 permits writing and proceeds to S63 (NO).

  In S63, the LCD controller 3 sets the ACK signal to High (ACK = High) level and transmits it to the host processor 2, and the process proceeds to S64.

  In S64, the LCD controller 3 waits for the transmission of the VSS packet from the host processor 2, and proceeds to S65.

  In S65, the LCD controller 3 returns the ACK signal to the Low (ACK = Low) level.

(HVBLK pulse signal)
The LCD controller 3 outputs a single HVBLK pulse signal having a very short period from the rising of High to returning to Low at a predetermined cycle, and maintains the HVBLK pulse signal = High before the prohibition period Ts elapses. After the prohibition period Ts elapses, the HVBLK pulse signal is returned to Low. The host processor 2 confirms the level of the edge (falling) of the HVBLK pulse signal, and starts transferring image data when the edge (Low level) is confirmed.

(HVBLK level signal)
The LCD controller 3 maintains HVBLK level = High before the prohibition period Ts elapses, and outputs the level with the HVBLK level = Low after the prohibition period Ts elapses. The host processor 2 polls (monitors) the HVBLK level. If the HVBLK level = Low, the host processor 2 starts transferring image data.

[Summary]
The memory control device (LCD controller 3) according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes a frame memory (31) having a predetermined recording capacity and image data for one frame transferred from the host (host processor 2) below the recording capacity. A compression unit (33) that writes the compressed image data into the frame memory, reads out the compressed image data from the frame memory, decompresses the compressed image data, and displays the display control unit (LCD4) The range in which the reading position in the frame memory can change and the range in which the writing position can change from the start of reading the compressed image data of the first frame do not overlap each other. Until the predetermined prohibition period Ts elapses, the compressed image data of the second frame following the first frame is compressed. Has a timing control unit for prohibiting the write start (the delay control unit 32), the.

  According to the above configuration, tearing can be prevented from occurring even when image data is compressed and recorded in the frame memory.

  In the memory control device according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, the second read position is the second read position when the transition of the read position of the compressed image data of the first frame on the frame memory is most delayed. The prohibition period Ts in which the writing position cannot catch up when the writing position of the frame-compressed image data in the frame memory becomes the fastest may be set in advance for the timing control unit. .

  In the memory control device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in aspect 1 or 2, the maximum writing speed by the compression unit is α times the average writing speed, and the minimum writing speed by the compression unit is β of the average writing speed. The maximum reading speed by the decompression unit is α times the average reading speed, the minimum reading speed by the decompressing unit is β times the average reading speed, and one frame worth by the compression unit. A fixed period for writing the compressed image data is a writing period Tin, a fixed period for reading the compressed image data for one frame by the decompression unit is a reading period Tout, and if Tin> Tout, When expressed by Formula 1 and Tin <Tout, when the period expressed by Formula 2 is the danger period Td, the above Stop period Ts is the critical period Td or more and may be configured less than the read period Tout.

  According to the above configuration, tearing can be prevented from occurring even when image data is compressed and recorded in the frame memory while the prohibition period Ts is shorter than the readout period Tout.

  In the memory control device according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in the aspects 1 to 3, the compression unit compresses the image data for one frame with Vsize as an upper limit value, and the predetermined recording capacity is equal to or greater than the Vsize. The configuration may be Vsize × 11/10 or less.

  According to the above configuration, the recording capacity of the frame memory can be minimized.

  In the memory control device according to aspect 5 of the present invention, a frame memory having a predetermined recording capacity and image data for one frame transferred from the host are compressed with Vsize as the upper limit value, and the compressed image data is compressed into the frame memory. And a decompression unit that reads out the compressed image data from the frame memory, decompresses the compressed image data, and transfers the decompressed image data to the display control unit. The recording capacity of the frame memory is The range in which the reading position in the frame memory can change and the range in which the writing position can change are determined so as not to overlap each other.

  According to the above configuration, tearing can be prevented from occurring even when image data is compressed and recorded in the frame memory.

  In the memory control device according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in the aspect 5, the compression unit compresses the first frame immediately before the second frame as the write start position of the compressed image data of the second frame. The compressed image of the second frame is placed at the read position when the transition of the read position of the compressed image data of the first frame on the frame memory is most delayed. The predetermined recording capacity of the frame memory may be set so that the writing position cannot catch up when the transition of the data writing position on the frame memory becomes the fastest.

  In the memory control device according to aspect 7 of the present invention, in the above aspect 5 or 6, the maximum writing speed by the compression unit is α times the average writing speed, and the minimum writing speed by the compression unit is β of the average writing speed. The maximum reading speed by the decompression unit is α times the average reading speed, the minimum reading speed by the decompressing unit is β times the average reading speed, and one frame worth by the compression unit. A fixed period for writing the compressed image data is a writing period Tin, a fixed period for reading the compressed image data for one frame by the decompression unit is a reading period Tout, and if Tin> Tout, In the case where Tin <Tout is expressed by Expression 3, when the recording capacity expressed by Expression 4 is the additional capacity Va, The predetermined recording capacity of the serial frame memory is greater than the Vsize + the additional capacity Va, and may be configured less than 2 times the Vsize.

  According to the above configuration, tearing does not occur even when image data is compressed and recorded in the frame memory while the predetermined recording capacity of the frame memory is set to a recording capacity less than twice Vsize. be able to.

  In the memory control device according to aspect 8 of the present invention, in the aspect 7, the predetermined recording capacity of the frame memory is larger than the Vsize + the additional capacity Va, and (the Vsize + the additional capacity Va) × 11/10 or less. The structure which is may be sufficient.

  According to the above configuration, the recording capacity of the frame memory can be minimized.

  In the memory control device according to aspect 9 of the present invention, in the aspect 1 or 6, the write start position of the second frame on the frame memory is in the vicinity of the write end position of the first frame. Also good.

  According to the above configuration, the frame memory can be used efficiently and the size of the frame memory can be reduced.

  A mobile terminal according to aspect 10 of the present invention includes the memory control device according to any one of aspects 1 to 9.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a new technical feature can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

  The present invention can be used for a memory control device and a portable terminal.

1 Image transfer system 2 Host processor (host)
3 LCD controller (memory control device)
4 LCD (display control unit)
10 mobile terminal 31 frame memory 32 delay control unit (timing control unit)
33 Compression unit 34 Expansion unit 35 Control register

Claims (8)

A frame memory of a predetermined recording capacity;
A compression unit that compresses image data for one frame transferred from the host to the recording capacity or less and writes the compressed image data to the frame memory;
A decompression unit that reads the compressed image data from the frame memory, decompresses the compressed image data, and transfers the decompressed image data to a display control unit;
A predetermined prohibition period Ts elapses from the start of reading the compressed image data of the first frame so that the range in which the reading position in the frame memory can change and the range in which the writing position can change do not overlap each other. A timing control unit for prohibiting the start of writing compressed image data of the second frame next to the first frame,
Assuming that the writing speed by the compression section fluctuates between the minimum writing speed and the maximum writing speed, and the reading speed by the expansion section fluctuates between the minimum reading speed and the maximum reading speed, the reading position in the frame memory A predetermined period so that the range in which the writing position can change and the range in which the writing position can change do not overlap each other is defined as a danger period Td.
The maximum writing speed by the compression unit is α times the average writing speed, the minimum writing speed by the compression unit is β times the average writing speed,
The maximum reading speed by the extension unit is α times the average reading speed, and the minimum reading speed by the extension unit is the β times the average reading speed,
A fixed period for writing the compressed image data for one frame by the compression unit is written.
The period of time Tin, and the period during which the compressed image data for one frame by the decompression unit is read out are referred to as a reading period Tout.
The danger period Td is
If Tin> Tout,

Represented by
If Tin <Tout,

When represented by
The prohibition period Ts is
A memory control device characterized in that it is not less than the danger period Td and less than the read period Tout .   Transition of the writing position of the compressed image data of the second frame to the reading position when the transition of the reading position of the compressed image data of the first frame is most delayed in the frame memory The memory control device according to claim 1, wherein the prohibition period Ts in which the write position cannot catch up when the timing is the earliest is preset for the timing control unit. The compression unit compresses the image data for one frame with Vsize as an upper limit value,
The predetermined recording capacity, the Vsize above, the memory control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is less than the Vsize × 11/10. A frame memory of a predetermined recording capacity;
A compression unit that compresses image data for one frame transferred from the host with Vsize as an upper limit, and writes the compressed image data into the frame memory;
A decompression unit that reads out the compressed image data from the frame memory, decompresses the compressed image data, and transfers the decompressed image data to a display control unit;
The recording capacity of the frame memory is
The range in which the reading position in the frame memory can change and the range in which the writing position can change are determined so as not to overlap each other.
Assuming that the writing speed by the compression section fluctuates between the minimum writing speed and the maximum writing speed, and the reading speed by the expansion section fluctuates between the minimum reading speed and the maximum reading speed, the reading position in the frame memory A predetermined recording capacity so that the range in which the writing position can change and the range in which the writing position can change do not overlap each other is defined as an additional capacity Va .
The maximum writing speed by the compression unit is α times the average writing speed, the minimum writing speed by the compression unit is β times the average writing speed,
The maximum reading speed by the extension unit is α times the average reading speed, and the minimum reading speed by the extension unit is the β times the average reading speed,
A fixed period for writing the compressed image data for one frame by the compression unit is a writing period Tin, a fixed period for reading the compressed image data for one frame by the decompression unit is a reading period Tout, and ,
The additional capacity Va is
If Tin> Tout,

Represented by
If Tin <Tout,

When represented by
The memory control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined recording capacity of the frame memory is larger than the Vsize + the additional capacity Va and less than twice the Vsize . The compression unit sets the writing start position of the compressed image data of the second frame as a continuation of the writing end position of the compressed image data of the first frame immediately before the second frame,
Transition of the writing position of the compressed image data of the second frame to the reading position when the transition of the reading position of the compressed image data of the first frame is most delayed in the frame memory 5. The memory control device according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined recording capacity of the frame memory is set so that the writing position does not catch up when the timing is the earliest. 5. The memory control device according to claim 4 , wherein a predetermined recording capacity of the frame memory is larger than the Vsize + the additional capacity Va and is equal to or less than (the Vsize + the additional capacity Va) × 11/10. Write start position of the second frame on the frame memory, the memory control device according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that in the vicinity of the writing end position of the first frame. Mobile terminal, characterized in that it comprises a memory control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images